Three NIU football players honored

Matt Trowbridge

Tuesday

Oct 30, 2012 at 12:01 AMOct 30, 2012 at 5:29 AM

NIU defensive end Sean Progar and kicker Mathew Sims earned Player of the Week honors in the Mid-American Conference today and Jordan Lynch was one of eight quarterbacks in the nation honored as a "Star of the Week" by the Manning Award.

NIU defensive end Sean Progar and kicker Mathew Sims earned Player of the Week honors in the Mid-American Conference today and Jordan Lynch was one of eight quarterbacks in the nation honored as a "Star of the Week" by the Manning Award.

Progar was MAC West Defensive Player of the Week after making seven tackles, including three sacks, in NIU's 48-34 win over Western Michigan. Two of those sacks were in the third quarter, when the Huskies came from behind to take the lead for good.

Sims was named MAC West Specialist of the Week for the second time this year. He scored 12 points and made the two longest field goals of hs career., connecting from 49 and 54 yards. His school-record 54-yarder on the last play of the first half was 10 yards longer than his previous career high.

The Huskies have had a player win one of the MAC West Player of the Week honors in eight of nine weeks this year. Five different Huskies, including three on defense, have earned the honor. Last year, NIU players won just seven Player of the Week honors, two on defense, despite winning the MAC title.

Lynch had 410 yards of total offense as he rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, and threw for 274 yards and four TDs on 18-of-28 passing. Fans can vote on the Allstate Sugar Bowl’s Facebook page. Voting closes 11 a.m. Thursday, and the top vote-getter will be announced as the Manning Award Player of the Week.